Waiver Wire Pickups For Second Base (2B) & Shortstop (SS)

May 25, 2014

Bill Dubiel presents his week 9 waiver wire pickups & sleepers for shortstop (SS) and second base (2B). These are middle infielders (MI) to own in deep leagues.

Middle Infield Waiver Wire Pickups

So how’d you do in week 8? Whether you’re at the top of the heap or languishing in the basement, your fantasy baseball team can always use a shot in the arm… or in this case, the roster. Here’s a look at some middle infielders who could be useful off the waiver wire in the next few weeks. If they are available in your league, depending on formats including AL-Only and NL-Only, consider snatching them up as they could be sleepers for your team and fantasy needs. At the very least, keep tabs on them and keep them on your radar…

Second Base (2B) Waiver Wire Options

Omar Infante (2B, KC) - owned in 12.2% of leagues

Chances are good that this guy is unowned right now in your fantasy baseball league. He’s been on the DL and he’s not typically a guy who gets stashed, particularly if your league has precious few DL slots. If he is in fact available, you ought to grab him.

This dude is a model of consistency, and he’s given us no reason to think that won’t be the case when he gets back into MLB action. At the end of the year, you’re looking at a .280+ hitter who’s going to score and drive in enough runs to be a top 15 second baseman.

Snatch him up off your league's waiver wire if he's available and you're looking for some 2B or middle infield help.

Baller Move: Add him in all leagues

Gordon Beckham (2B, CWS) - owned in 19.0% of leagues

Don’t look now, but Beckham has quietly had a decent 2014. As of right now, he’s hitting .291 with 17 runs scored, 10 RBIs and three jacks. Those are not eye-popping numbers by any stretch of the imagination, but again this is Gordon Beckham — I don’t know that he’s ever popped an eye in his major league career. But if you need a guy to fill in your 2B or middle infield slot for a couple weeks, you could certainly do worse. He's currently riding a 6 game hitting streak, and has hit safely in 21 out of the last 24 games he's played.

Baller Move: Add in deeper leagues

Shortstop (SS) Waiver Wire Options

Eduardo Escobar (SS / 2B / 3B, MIN) - owned in 5.1% of leagues

I know, Eduardo who, right? He’s currently starting at shortstop for the Twinkies, and uh… producing. He’s hitting .337 so far on the season, and now that he’s starting routinely those counting stats are going to keep on coming. 10 runs scored and nine RBIs in just 71 at-bats ain’t nothin’ to scoff at, and he’s given no reason to believe he’ll cool off any time soon (although the .337 batting average may not be sustainable). Now this is not me telling you to go drop your starting shortstop and pick him up, but if you need a filler off the waiver wire, or are dealing with a horrible middle infield situation, feel free to take a flier.

Baller Move: Consider him in deeper leagues

Chris Owings (SS, ARI) - Owned in 5.4% of leagues

So the Diamondbacks aren’t any good at baseball these days, but this guy has kept on keeping on. He’s a .267 hitter at the moment, which you’ll take out of the hilariously thin shortstop position.

The RBIs are going to be scant, but he’ll score you some runs and swipe you a few bags. He's was also a highly touted prospect, so the talent is there giving him some room for upside. Add him off the waiver wire if your shortstop gets hurt.

Baller Move: Add as an injury-replacement or if you’re desperate